War's spectacle

Rating: 10/10 (4 August 2001)

What a spectacle of man's ultimate and most dangerous endeavor. Too many stars to mention. This black and white pageant of war is an artful collage of the thousands of stories that are woven into the complex fabric of a great invasion. The camera work is sometimes breathtaking. The performances are surprisingly good. Memorable scenes include paratroopers landing in the midst of a village involved in putting out an unrelated fire, and a running attack on a wharf area that has to be the best crane shot since Gone With the Wind!
The picture also holds up historically (except for more recent history being a bit kinder to Rommel), showing the German side and point of view as well as the Allies'. This motion picture is a must see for war film buffs, and should be required viewing for school kids. And while it is teaching us a multitude of lessons, it manages to be deliciously entertaining.
Two thumbs up!